Zamora: Police bike patrollers to ensure strict enforcement of quarantine rules in San Juan

Police bike patrollers equipped with body cameras would be deployed in San Juan City for the strict enforcement of the ordinances related to quarantine protocols.

Mayor Francis Zamora has directed a stricter implementation of quarantine rules in efforts to continue preventing the spread of COVID-19.

"Mayroon tayong mga itinalaga na mga traffic enforcer, mga San Juan police na magbabantay dito. Ang importante, tayo po ay naglaan sa kanila ng mga body camera," Zamora told reporters on Thursday.

"Importante 'yung body cam sapagkat hindi lamang 'yung mga nagva-violate ng bike lanes ang hinuhuli, [kundi] pati 'yung nagva-violate ng ordinansa patungkol sa 'di pagsuot ng face mask, hindi pagsuot ng face shield at 'yung bagong ordinansa ng San Juan na anti-spitting ordinance," he added.

Early this month, the local government banned spitting, vomiting, urinating, defecating, and spitting in public amid the pandemic. Violators will be fined P500 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 as well as a seminar for the third offense.

Meanwhile, Zamora also directed the installation of modified bicycle lanes and dedicated motorcycle lanes along Ortigas Avenue.

"Nandito tayo ngayon sa launching ng modified bike lanes at motorcycle lanes. Ibig sabihin dito sa Ortigas Avenue, ang mga bisikleta at saka motoryzed scooter, mayroon silang sariling lane nila dito sa pinaka-kanan ng kalye tapos may pagitang mga bollards. Sakaliwa naman ng bollards, 'yun naman 'yung dedicated motorcycle lanes," Zamora said.

"Ang isang lane natin dito sa Ortigas Avenue ay three meters. Mayroon tayong three lanes dito sa Ortigas Avenue..." he added.

Zamora said a speed monitor would be given to law enforcers checking the bicycle lanes.

Meanwhile, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority general manager Jojo Garcia said these lanes would not adversely affect traffic along EDSA.

"It will not kasi nga magkakaroon ng kanya-kanyang lane... 'Yung mga private vehicles diyan, kung walang obstruction like motorsiklo o bisikleta, kahit gaano kadami 'yan, dere-derecho ang flow niyan. Mabagal lang dahil madami because of volume," Garcia said.

Garcia said he is eyeing to put these kinds of lanes along EDSA.

"Kahit sa EDSA, sabi ko nga huwag siyang magagalit, gagayahin namin sa EDSA 'to eh," Garcia said.

The local government wants to ensure the safety of those using bicycles as a mode of transportation in this time of pandemic.

"Ang iniisip natin dito 'yung kaligtasan ng mga nagbibisikleta lalo na ngayon panahon ng COVID-19. Alam naman natin di pa rin full operations ang ating public transportation... marami talaga ang bumibili ng bisikleta para di na gumastos araw-araw sa pamasahe," Zamora said. 

Those who will not follow the use of bicycle or motorcycle lanes will be penalized, Zamora said. He, however, said that during the initial days of implementation, law enforcers would observe first. — RSJ, GMA News